Dev Uthani Ekadashi Puja : Auspicious day for marriages all over India

Dev Uthani Ekadashi festival is celebrated in the month of  Kartik (November-December).It is believed that on this day Lord Vishnu had woken up after a rest of four months. This day is considered auspicious as marriages take place on this day all over India. Beside this all auspicious work could be started from this day. lt is also known by the name of Dev Pradodini Ekadasi, Hari Prabodini Ekadasi, Uttahana Ekadasi and Bada Ekadasi.

On this day, an image of Lord Vishnu is drawn on the ground. Lamps are lit around it and fruits and vegetables are offered to this fresh image. In some regions this image is covered with a big brass plate symbolizing that lord is sleeping. Bhajans are dedicated to lord Vishnu to shed his sleep and wake up and bless people.

To wake the Lord, children light mustard torches at night and make lot of noise.

Dev Uthani Ekadashi

The methods of the Dev Uthani Ekadashi Puja Festivalare:

  1. The courtyard or the room should be cleaned and with limestone or chuna and with geru the image of Dev or the deity or the Lord should be drawn.
  2. In the evening, puja is done with water, roli, moli which are the colored thread, rice, fruits, gut, cotton, banana, gwar ki phalli, mooli, money etc.
  3. The Deepak or diya or the home made soil lamps are then lit and devotional songs are sung.
  4. The most important part of the puja. People perform Tulsiji ka Vivah on this day with Shaligram.

In 2010, this festival is celebrated on 17th November. Toshali Sands welcomes all to be the part of Diwali Festival experiencing, exclusive arrangement has been done for the guest to witness and be the part of the festival. For hotel , Wedding and Reception facility Reservation, Book your package at  http://bit.ly/9Tr6lA . For more details on customized Wedding and Reception facility budget contact travel planner to metu@toshali.in

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Chhath Puja : Indian thanksgiving festival dedicated to the Sun God

Chhath, also known as Dala Chhath is an  important festival celebrated in Bihar and many other parts of India in which setting Sun (dawn) is worshiped . Although Bihar celebrates Chhath most elaborately it is also followed in some parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam, Mauritius, mainly among the Bhojpuri and Maithali speaking people. Chhath is also important for Nepalese worshippers of god as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The best place to witness Chhath would be around Northern Bihar where it is celebrated in great grandeur. The festival is observed and in Bihar since time immemorial with the constant faith that the Sun God fulfils wishes if ‘araghya’ is offered with complete dedication and devotion.

Chhath is not just a physical attachment to the people of Bihar, it is also present in their hearts, and this is why the people bring wherever they have migrated. Nowadays it can be easily seen at the ghats of Yamuna in Delhi and other parts of India indicating its presence across the country.

It is a festival connected with purity, devotion to the Sun God who is considered as the source of life on this earth and is regarded as wish fulfiller.

The important dates of coming “Chhath Puja Vrat” 2010:-

  • Naha Kha                        –  10/Nov/2010
  • Kharna / Lohanda    –  11/Nov/2010
  • Sanjha Urga                  –  12/Nov/2010
  • Subah Urga                   –  13/Nov/2010
  • Paran                                –  13/Nov/2010

 

Excursions in Bihar during Chhath Puja (courtesy –  Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation)

  • Rajgir: 15 km. The ancient capital of Magadhan empire which flourished in the 6th century BC.
  • Gaya: 95 km. It is a very sacred pilgrim center for the Hindus.
  • Bodhgaya: 110 km. It is the holiest amongst holy places of Buddhist World., where Prince Sidharaha attained the supreme enlightenment and became the Buddha , the enlightened one.
  • Pawapuri: 25km. A sinless city it is a great pilgrimage center of the Jains. Lord Mahavira, the greatest propounder of Jainism had delivered his last sermon took Mahaparinirvana and was cremated here.
  • Patna: 95km. The ancient city of Patliputra, where the capital of Magadhan empire shifted from Rajgir, is situated on the main line of eastern railway and is well connected with air services

In 2010, Chhat Puja Festival 2010 is celebrated on 11th November 2010.. Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival holiday packages and arranges, to be at , Chhat Puja Festival 2010. And customized your accommodation on demand, book your package reservation at http://bit.ly/aJFgJ0 . Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the , Chhat Puja Festival 2010, post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holidays Planner at metu@toshali.in

Chandrabhaga Fair : The magic of vibrant Rajasthan

The Chandrabhaga fair is one of the most popular festivals celebrated at Jhalrapatan in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, India, in the month of Kartik, Oct-Nov. This festival is celebrated in the honor of the sun God.  According to legend’s Lord Sri Krishna’s son Shambhu who was suffered from Leprosy was cured by the Sun god. From that time period this fair is celebrated in honor of the God sun. Devotees from various parts of India congregate here, take a dip in the holy waters and offers prayers to the Sun.

Chandreabhaga Fair (Image Courtesy Rajasthan Tourism)
CHANDRABHAGA FAIR, JHALRAPATAN 20-22 November 2010 (Image Courtesy Rajasthan Tourism)

Every year in this Chandrabhaga Fair a huge cattle fair is organized where farm animals like horses, cows, camels and bullocks are bought here from the distant parts for sale. This fair gives good opportunity to the tourists to know more about the traditions and rituals of this region.

The fair gives a very good opportunity to the tourists to know more about the rituals, traditions and also about the people of this region.

Tourist Attractions are the major tourist hotspots of the region that are worth a visit:

  • Jhalawar Fort
  • Bhawani Natyashala
  • Government Museum
  • Chandrabhaga Temple
  • Gagron Fort
  • Bhimsagar
  • Fort Of Gangadhar
  • Kakuni
  • Rein Basera
  • Dalhanpur

Ramganj Mandi is the nearest Railway Station(25kms). Jhalawar is well connected to Kota, Bundi and Jaipur. National Highway No.12 passes through Jhalawar. Buses are available from all major cities.

In 2010, this Chandrabhaga Fair falls on 20th -22nd November. Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival holiday packages and arranges, to be at “Chandrabhaga Fair”, Jhalrapatan, Rajasthan. And customized your accommodation on demand, book your package reservation at http://bit.ly/auYuXb. Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the Chandrabhaga Fair, post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holidays Planner at metu@toshali.in

Bundi Utsav : Festival of culmination of traditional art, culture and craftsmanship

Bundi festival popularly known as Bundi Utsav is one of the most colorful festival celebrated in the Hadoti district of Rajasthan. Every year this festival is celebrated in the month of November.

Bundi one of the most attractive, beautiful locations in the Hadoti district Rajasthan comes alive during the Bundi Utsav held in the month of November every year. Bundi Utsav is a spectacular culmination of traditional art, culture and craftsmanship which surprises every visitor with its grandeur.

Music, Dance, sports, sightseeing, competitions and many other events organized by the Rajasthan State Tourism Department are not only engaging but also present the scale of Indian Culture and traditions in front of Foreign tourists.

The people visiting the place during this Festival held in the month of Kartik are totally captivated with the scenic and natural beauty.

Held in the month of Kartik, there are a number of religious and traditional customs associated with the celebration of Bundi Festival.

The programme includes : a colorful Shobha Yatra , Arts & Crafts Fair, Ethnic Sports, Cultural exhibition ,DEEP DAAN ,Folk/Classical Music & Dance Programmes , Sight Seeing, Traditional Rural Sports, Turban competition, Bridal Attire , Musical Band Competition, Folk /Classical Music & Dance programme , & sparkling fireworks display etc. Early in the morning after the full moon night of kartik (Purnima), women and men are seen clad in attractive colorful costumes lighting diyas (lamps prepared by them from flour dough) on the banks of River Chambal and seeking blessings by offering prayers

“Keshorai Patan” a small township near Bundi is sometimes referred as “Mini Pushkar” especially on the full moon night of kartik.

Bundi is one of the most picturesque locations of the hadoti district in Rajasthan. It is quite popular that the palaces and forts of Bundi have a fairy tale feel about them. The town is quite isolated from the maddening rush and crowd of adjoining cities and thus at times appears like a beautiful frozen painting.

The town is surrounded by rock gorges and the adjoining river Chambal provides a perfect location for water activities. The zone with the lush green widespread jungles, the vast stretches of forests and wildlife, the sprawling rocks and ravines makes it a paradise for adventure lovers.

Bundi till date claims to be the house of World’s best paintings and their origins. Especially the paintings at Chitrashala are known across the world.

Rajput architecture and feel is still felt in its palaces as in the Bundi Palace.

In 2010, “Bundi Festival” 2010 is celebrated on 24th to 26th November 2010.. Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival holiday packages and arranges, to be at Bundi Utsav 2010, Hadoti  Distric, Rajasthan. And will customized your accommodation on demand, book your package reservation at http://bit.ly/auYuXb. Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the Bundi Festival , post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holidays Planner at metu@toshali.in